Section 2.2-4011 A of the Code of Virginia states that agencies may adopt regulations in emergency situations after the agency submits a written request stating the nature of the emergency and the Governor approves the emergency action. The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) submitted a request to the Governor stating in writing the nature of this emergency, and on June 24, 2015, the Governor specifically authorized this action to amend the previous emergency action for the Governor's Access Plan (GAP) Demonstration Waiver for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness, which was published in 31:10 VA.R. 864 January 12, 2015, to be promulgated as an emergency action.

Item 301 LLLL of Chapter 665 of the 2015 Acts of Assembly directed DMAS to amend the GAP Demonstration Waiver by (i) reducing the household income level to 60% of the federal poverty level (FPL), while retaining the additional 5.0% household income disregard; (ii) providing continued eligibility for all individuals enrolled in the demonstration waiver with incomes between 61% and 100% of the FPL, plus a 5.0% household income disregard, as of May 15, 2015, who continue to meet other program eligibility rules, until their next eligibility renewal period or July 1, 2016, whichever comes first; and (iii) modifying the list of benefits provided. The amendments conform the emergency regulation to this requirement.

A. The Commonwealth through the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), the single state Medicaid agency, establishes a § 1115 demonstration waiver, the Virginia Governor's Access Plan (GAP) for the Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI). With federal approval, Virginia will offer a limited yet targeted benefit package of services that builds on a successful model of using existing partnerships to provide and integrate basic medical and behavioral health care services for individuals who have a serious mental illness (SMI) and have incomes less than 100%60% of the federal poverty limit (below 95% withplus a 5.0% household income disregard to equal 100% of the FPL).

B. Enabling persons with SMI to access both behavioral health and primary health services will enhance the treatment they can receive, allow their care to be coordinated among providers, and potentially significantly decrease the severity of their condition. The three goals of this program are:

1. Improve access to health care for a segment of the uninsured population in Virginia that has significant behavioral and medical needs;

The following words and terms as used in this part shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Action" means an action by Cover Virginia or the service authorization contractor that constitutes a termination or denial of eligibility or services or limited authorization of a service authorization request including (i) type or level of service; (ii) reduction, suspension, or termination of a previously authorized service; (iii) failure to act on a service request; (iv) denial in whole or in part of coverage for a service; or (v) failure by Cover Virginia or the service authorization contractor to render a decision within the required timeframes.

"Agency" means either Cover Virginia or the service authorization contractor.

"Alternative home care" means mental health services more intensive than outpatient services provided either in the individual's home or the individual is temporarily (less than two weeks) placed in a therapeutic living setting that provides intensive mental health services such as residential crisis stabilization.

"Appellant" means an applicant for or recipient of GAP benefits who seeks to challenge an action regarding eligibility, services, and coverage determinations.

"BHSA" means the behavioral health services administrator entity that manages or directs a behavioral health benefits program under contract with DMAS.

"Care coordination" means the collaboration and sharing of information among health care providers who are involved with an individual's health care to (i) improve the health and wellness of individuals with complex and special care needs and (ii) integrate services around the needs of such individuals at the local level by working collaboratively with all partners, including the individual, his family, and providers.

"CAT" means computer aided tomography.

"Certified prescreener" means an employee of the local community services board/behavioral health authority or its designee who is skilled in the assessment and treatment of mental illness and who has completed a certification program approved by DBHDS.

"Client appeal" means an individual's request for review of an eligibility, coverage, or payment determination. An appeal is an individual's challenge to the actions regarding benefits, services, and reimbursement provided by the department, its service authorization contractor, or Cover Virginia.

"Cover Virginia" or "Cover VA" means a department contractor that receives applications for the GAP Demonstration Waiver for Individuals with SMI, determines eligibility, and handles individuals' appeal of actions that have denied, reduced, or terminated covered benefits.

"CSB" means the local community services board or behavioral health authority agency, which is the entry point for citizens into behavioral health and substance abuse treatment services as established in Chapter 5 (§ 37.2-500 et seq.) and Chapter 6 (§ 37.2-600 et seq.) of Title 37.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"DBHDS" means the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services consistent with Chapter 3 (§ 37.2-300 et seq.) of Title 37.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Department" or "DMAS" means the Department of Medical Assistance Services and its contractor or contractors consistent with Chapter 10 (§ 32.1-323 et seq.) of Title 32.1 of the Code of Virginia.

"Direct services" means the provision of direct behavioral health and medical treatment, counseling, or other supportive services not included in the definition of care management services.

"Duration of illness" means the individual (i) is expected to require this program's services for an extended period of time; (ii) has undergone more than once in his lifetime psychiatric treatment more intensive than outpatient care such as crisis response services, alternative home care, partial hospitalization, or inpatient hospitalization; or (iii) has experienced an episode of continuous, supportive residential care, other than hospitalization, for a period long enough to have significantly disrupted his normal living situation.

"Expedited appeal" means the process by which the department must respond to an individual's appeal of an adverse action regarding services if an eligibility or denial of care decision may jeopardize the individual's life; health; or ability to attain, maintain, or regain maximum function.

"Final decision" means a written determination pertaining to client appeals by a department hearing officer that is binding on the department, unless modified during or after the judicial process, and that may be appealed to the local circuit court.

"FPL" means the federal poverty level.

"FQHC" means a federally qualified health center.

"GAP" means Governor's Access Plan.

"GAP case management" means services to assist individuals in solving problems, if any, in accessing needed medical, behavioral health, social, educational, vocational, and other supports essential to meeting basic needs, including (i) assessment and planning services, including developing an individual service plan (does not include performing medical and psychiatric assessment but does include referral for such assessment); (ii) linking the individual to services and supports specified in the individual service plan; (iii) assisting the individual for the purpose of locating, developing, or obtaining needed services and resources; (iv) coordinating services and service planning with other agencies and providers involved with the individual; (v) enhancing community integration by contacting other entities to arrange community access and involvement, including opportunities to learn community living skills, and use vocational, civic, and recreational services; (vi) making collateral contacts with the individuals' significant others to promote implementation of the service plan and community adjustment; (vii) follow-up and monitoring to assess ongoing progress and to ensure services are delivered; and (viii) education and counseling that guides the client and develops a supportive relationship that promotes the service plan.

"GAP screening entity" means the entity that conducts the SMI screening for the GAP SMI program; shall be a CSB or participating FQHC or an inpatient psychiatric hospital or general hospital with an inpatient psychiatric unit and shall be conducted by a qualified provider for the purpose of determining eligibility for participation in the GAP SMI program.

"Good cause" means to provide sufficient cause or reason for failing to file a timely appeal or for missing a scheduled appeal hearing. The existence of good cause shall be determined by the department.

"Grievance" means an expression of dissatisfaction about any matter other than an action. A grievance shall be filed and resolved at Cover Virginia or the service authorization contractor. Possible subjects for grievances include, but shall not be limited to, the quality of care or services provided, aspects of interpersonal relationships such as rudeness of a provider or employee, or failure to respect the enrollee's rights.

"Hearing" means an informal evidentiary proceeding conducted by a department hearing officer during which an individual has the opportunity to present his concerns with or objections to the action taken by Cover Virginia or the service authorization contractor.

"Hearing officer" means an impartial decision maker who conducts evidentiary hearings on behalf of the department.

"Individual" means the client, enrollee, or recipient of services described in this section.

"Individual service plan" or "ISP" means a comprehensive and regularly updated treatment plan specific to the individual's unique treatment needs as identified in the clinical assessment.

"Intensive outpatient services" means services for individuals who have substance use disorders that are provided in a nonresidential clinical setting scheduled a maximum of 19 hours of services per week. Intensive outpatient services are targeted to individuals who require more intensive services than outpatient counseling services. Intensive outpatient services are provided in a concentrated manner and generally involve multiple outpatient visits per week over a period of time for individuals requiring stabilization. Intensive outpatient services include monitoring and multiple group therapy sessions during the week and individual and family therapy focused on the Medicaid-eligible individual. The maximum annual limit is 600 hours.

"LMHP-resident" or "LMHP-R" means the same as "resident" as defined in (i) 18VAC115-20-10 for licensed professional counselors; (ii) 18VAC115-50-10 for licensed marriage and family therapists; or (iii) 18VAC115-60-10 for licensed substance abuse treatment practitioners. An LMHP-resident shall be in continuous compliance with the regulatory requirements of the applicable counseling profession for supervised practice and shall not perform the functions of the LMHP-R or be considered a "resident" until the supervision for specific clinical duties at a specific site has been preapproved in writing by the Virginia Board of Counseling. For purposes of Medicaid reimbursement to their supervisors for services provided by such residents, they shall use the title "Resident" in connection with the applicable profession after their signatures to indicate such status.

"LMHP-resident in psychology" or "LMHP-RP" means the same as an individual in a residency program as defined in 18VAC125-20-10 for clinical psychologists. An LMHP-resident in psychology shall be in continuous compliance with the regulatory requirements for supervised experience as found in 18VAC125-20-65 and shall not perform the functions of the LMHP-RP or be considered a "resident" until the supervision for specific clinical duties at a specific site has been preapproved in writing by the Virginia Board of Psychology. For purposes of Medicaid reimbursement by supervisors for services provided by such residents, they shall use the title "Resident in Psychology" after their signatures to indicate such status.

"LMHP-supervisee in social work" or "LMHP-S" means the same as "supervisee" as defined in 18VAC140-20-10 for licensed clinical social workers. An LMHP-supervisee in social work shall be in continuous compliance with the regulatory requirements for supervised practice as found in 18VAC140-20-50 and shall not perform the functions of the LMHP-S or be considered a "supervisee" until the supervision for specific clinical duties at a specific site is preapproved in writing by the Virginia Board of Social Work. For purposes of Medicaid reimbursement to their supervisors for services provided by supervisees, these persons shall use the title "Supervisee in Social Work" after their signatures to indicate such status.

"MRI" means magnetic resonance imaging.

"Peer support services" or "peer support" meanssupportive services provided by adults who self-disclose as living with or having lived with a behavioral health condition and includes (i) planning for engaging in natural community support resources as part of the recovery process, (ii) helping to initiate rapport with therapists, and (iii) increasing teaching and modeling of positive communication skills with individuals to help them self-advocate for individualized services to promote successful community integration strategies.

"Progress notes" means individual-specific documentation that contains the unique differences particular to the individual's circumstances, treatment, and progress that is also signed and contemporaneously dated by the provider's professional staff who have prepared the notes.

"PSN" means a peer support navigator who has self-declared that he is living with or has lived with a behavioral health condition. PSNs assist individuals to successfully remain in or transition back into their communities from inpatient hospital stays, help them avoid future inpatient stays, and increase community tenure by providing an array of linkages to peer run services, natural supports, and other recovery oriented resources.

"Qualified mental health professional-adult" or "QMHP-A" means the same as defined in 12VAC35-105-20.

"Qualified mental health professional-eligible" or "QMHP-E" means the same as defined in 12VAC35-105-20.

"Qualified paraprofessional in mental health" or "QPPMH" means the same as defined in 12VAC35-105-20.

"Qualified substance abuse professional" or "QSAP" means the same as defined in 12VAC35-105-20.

"Register" or "registration" means notifying DMAS or its contractor that an individual will be receiving services that do not require service authorization.

"Remand" means the return of a case by the hearing officer to Cover Virginia or the service authorization contractor for further review, evaluation, and action.

"Representative" means an attorney or other individual who has been authorized to represent an applicant or enrollee pursuant to this part.

"Reverse" means to overturn the action of Cover Virginia or the service authorization contractor and direct that eligibility or requested services be fully approved for the amount, duration, and scope of requested services.

"Service authorization" means the process to approve specific services for an enrolled GAP individual prior to service delivery and reimbursement in order to validate that the service requested is medically necessary and meets the DMAS and the DMAS contractor criteria for reimbursement.

"Service-specific provider intake" means the face-to-face interaction in which the provider obtains information from the individual and his parent or other family member or members, as appropriate, about mental health status. It includes documented history of the severity, intensity, and duration of mental health care problems and issues and shall contain all of the following elements: (i) the presenting issue or reason for referral; (ii) mental health history and hospitalizations; (iii) previous interventions by providers and the timeframes and response to treatment; (iv) medical profile; (v) developmental history including history of abuse, if appropriate; (vi) educational/vocational status; (vii) current living situation and family history and relationships; (viii) legal status; (ix) drug and alcohol profile; (x) resources and strengths; (xi) mental status exam and profile; (xii) diagnosis; (xiii) professional summary and clinical formulation; (xiv) recommended care and treatment goals; and (xv) the dated signature of the LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, or LMHP-RP.

"State Plan" or "the Plan" means the document required by § 1902(a) of the Act.

"Sustain" means to uphold the action of Cover Virginia or the service authorization contractor.

"Title XIX of the Social Security Act" or "the Act" means the United States Code beginning at 42 USC § 1396.

"Virtual engagement" means telephonic communications between a peer specialist and GAP enrolled individual to discuss and promote engagement with resources that may be available to the individual to promote his recovery.

"Warm line" means a peer-support telephone line that provides peer support for adult individuals who are living with or have lived with behavioral health conditions. The peers shall have specific training to provide telephonic support, and such systems may operate regionally or statewide and beyond traditional business hours.

"Withdrawal" means a written request from the applicant or enrollee or his representative for the department to terminate the appeal process without a final decision on the merits.

A. DMAS shall cover a targeted set of services as set forth in 12VAC30-135-450 for currently uninsured individuals who have diagnoses of serious mental illnesses with incomes below 100%60% of the federal poverty line (FPL) (below 95% of the FPL plus a 5.0% household income disregard). All individuals enrolled in this Medicaid demonstration project with incomes between 61% and 100% of the FPL as of May 15, 2015, who continue to meet other program eligibility rules shall maintain enrollment in the demonstration until their next eligibility renewal period or July 1, 2016, whichever comes first.

C. The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources has waived compliance for the department with the following for the purpose of this demonstration waiver program:

1. Consistent with § 1902(a)(10)(B) of the Act, the amount, duration, and scope of services covered in the State Plan for Medical Assistance shall be waived. The department shall cover a specified set of benefits for the individuals who are determined to be eligible for this program.

2. Consistent with § 1902(a)(23)(A) of the Act, the participating individuals' freedom of choice of providers of services shall be waived for peer supports and GAP case management.

3. Consistent with § 1902(a)(23) of the Act, the services shall be provided by a different delivery system than otherwise used for full State Plan services for peer supports and GAP case management.

4. Consistent with § 1902(a)(4) of the Act, insofar as it incorporates 42 CFR 431.53 permitting the Commonwealth to waive providing nonemergency transportation to and from participating providers for eligible, participating individuals.

5. Consistent with § 1902(a)(35) of the Act, permitting the Commonwealth to waiver offering eligible, participating individuals retroactive eligibility for this demonstration program.

D. This demonstration program shall operate statewide.

E. This demonstration program shall operate for at least two years beginning January 2015 through January 2017 or until the Commonwealth implements an alternative plan to provide health care coverage to all individuals having incomes up to 100%60% of the FPL.

F. This demonstration program shall not affect or modify, or both, components of the Commonwealth's existing medical assistance or children's health insurance programs.

A. The GAP eligibility determination process shall have two parts: (i) a determination of whether or not the individual meets the GAP SMI criteria and (ii) a determination of whether or not the individual meets the GAP financial and nonfinancial eligibility criteria.

1. A person may apply through Cover Virginia for GAP by phone or through a provider-assisted web portal.

2. If an individual is found not to meet GAP eligibility rules, either the GAP financial/nonfinancial criteria or the GAP SMI criteria, then the individual shall be sent an adverse determination letter with appeal rights. Such individuals shall be assessed and referred for eligibility through Medicaid, FAMIS MOMS, and the federal marketplace for private health insurance.

B. Individuals shall have a screening conducted by a DMAS-approved GAP screening entity for the determination of eligibility for GAP SMI services.

C. In order to be eligible for this program, individuals shall be assessed to determine whether their diagnosed condition is a serious mental illness. The serious mental illness shall be diagnosed according to criteria defined in the DSM-IV-TR or DSM-5. LMHPs, including LMHP-supervisees, LMHP-residents, and LMHP-residents in psychology, shall conduct the clinical screening required to determine the individual's diagnosis if one has not already been made. At least one of the following diagnoses shall be documented for the individual to be approved for GAP SMI services:

1. Schizophrenia spectrum disorders and other psychotic disorders with the exception of substance/medication induced psychotic disorders;

2. Major depressive disorder;

3. Bipolar and related disorders with the exception of cyclothymic disorder;

D. In order to be eligible for this program, individuals shall meet at least one of the following criteria to reflect the duration of illness:

1. The individual is expected to require treatment and supportive services for the next 12 months;

2. The individual has undergone psychiatric treatment more intensive than outpatient care, such as crisis response services, alternative home care, partial hospitalization, or inpatient hospitalization for a psychiatric condition, more than once in his lifetime; or

3. The individual has experienced an episode of continuous, supportive residential care, other than hospitalization, for a period long enough to have significantly disrupted the normal living situation. A significant disruption of a normal living situation means the individual has been unable to maintain his housing or had difficulty maintaining his housing due to being in a supportive residential facility or program that was not a hospital. This includes group home placement as an adolescent and assisted living facilities but does not include living situations through the Department of Social Services.

E. In order to be eligible for this program, individuals shall demonstrate a significant level of impairment on a continuing or intermittent basis. There shall be evidence of severe and recurrent impairment resulting from mental illness. The impairment shall result in functional limitation in major life activities. Due to the mental illness, the person shall meet at least two of the following:

1. The person is either unemployed or employed in a sheltered setting or a supportive work situation, has markedly limited or reduced employment skills, or has a poor employment history;

2. The person requires public and family financial assistance to remain in his community;

3. The person has difficulty establishing or maintaining a personal social support system;

4. The person requires assistance in basic living skills such as personal hygiene, food preparation, or money management; or

5. The person exhibits inappropriate behavior that often results in intervention by the mental health or judicial system.

F. The individual shall require assistance to consistently access and to utilize needed medical or behavioral, or both, health services and supports due to the mental illness.

G. In addition, the individuals shall:

1. Be adults ages 21 through 64 years of age;

2. Be United States citizens or lawfully residing immigrants;

3. Be residents of the Commonwealth;

4. Be uninsured;

5. Be ineligible for any state or federal full benefits health insurance program including, but not necessarily limited to Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP/FAMIS), Medicare, or TriCare Federal Military benefits;

6. Have household incomes below 95%60% of the federal poverty level (FPL) plus a 5.0% household income disregard, which shall be verified via pay stubs or other readily available and reliable electronic sources. All individuals enrolled in this Medicaid demonstration project with incomes between 61% and 100% of the FPL (plus a 5.0% household income disregard) as of May 15, 2015, who continue to meet other program eligibility rules shall maintain enrollment in the demonstration until their next eligibility renewal period or July 1, 2016, whichever comes first. Pursuant to DMAS federal authority under the § 1115 waiver, should expenditures for the GAP demonstration waiver compromise the program's budget neutrality, DMAS may amend the waiver to maintain budget neutrality by reducing income eligibility levels to below 95%60% of the FPL; and

7. Not be current residents of a long-term care facility, mental health facility, or penal institution.

H. Individuals who are enrolled in this GAP demonstration waiver program who require hospitalization shall not be disenrolled from the GAP demonstration waiver program during their hospitalization.

I. If a GAP-eligible individual secures Medicare or Medicaid/FAMIS MOMS coverage, his GAP program eligibility shall be terminated consistent with the effective date of the Medicare or Medicaid coverage. Individuals who gain other sources of health insurance shall not be disenrolled from the GAP demonstration waiver program during their 12 months of eligibility; however, in such instances, the GAP program shall be the payer of last resort.

J. DMAS or its contractor shall verify income data via existing electronic data sources, such as Virginia Employment Commission and TALX. Citizenship and identity shall be verified through the monthly file exchange between DMAS and the Social Security Administration. The individual's age, residency, and insurance status shall be verified through self-attestation. Applicants shall be permitted 90 days to resolve any citizenship discrepancies resulting from Social Security Administration matching process, in any of the information provided, and in the DMAS or the contractor verification process findings.

A. GAP coverage shall be limited to outpatient medical, behavioral health, pharmacy, GAP case management, and care coordination services for individuals determined to meet the GAP SMI eligibility criteria. This program intends that such services will significantly decrease the severity of individuals' serious mental illnesses so that they can recover, work, parent, learn, and participate more fully in their communities.

B. These services are intended to be delivered in a person-centered manner. The individuals who are receiving these services shall be included in all service planning activities.

1. Outpatient physician services and medical office visits includes evaluation and management, diagnostic and treatment procedures performed in the physician's office, and therapeutic or diagnostic injections. The requirements of 12VAC30-50-140 D 2, 3, and 4 shall be met in order for these services to be reimbursed by DMAS.

2. Outpatient clinic services include evaluation and management, treatment, and procedures performed in the clinic's office, and medically necessary therapeutic and diagnostic injections. The requirements of 12VAC30-50-180 B, C, and D shall be met in order for this service to be reimbursed by DMAS as it pertains to GAP covered services.

3. Outpatient specialty care, consultation, management, and treatment includes evaluation and treatment, and procedures performed in the physician's office, and medically necessary therapeutic or diagnostic injections consistent with 12VAC30-50-140 D 2, 3, and 4 as it pertains to GAP covered services.

4. Outpatient diagnostic services includes ultrasounds, electrocardiogram, service-authorized CAT and MRI scans, and diagnostic services that can be performed in a physician's office with the exception of colonoscopy procedures and other services listed as noncovered in 12VAC30-135-469. The requirements of 12VAC30-50-140 O shall be met as it pertains to GAP SMI services in order for these services to be reimbursed by DMAS. CAT and MRI scans shall be covered if the service is authorized by either DMAS or the service authorization contractor.

a. Reimbursement shall be provided only for active case management individuals. An active individual for GAP case management purposes means an individual for whom there is a current ISP, as defined in 12VAC30-50-226, that requires regular direct or client-related contacts or activity or communication with the individuals or families, significant others, service providers, or others. Billing can be submitted only for months in which direct or individual-related contacts, activity, or communications occur. Regular case management is reimbursed for months in which the minimum requirements are met for case management. High intensity case management is reimbursed for months in which a face-to-face contact with the individual takes place in a community setting outside of the case management office.

1. Care coordination shall be provided as defined in 12VAC30-135-410. BHSA LMHP care managers shall work closely with behavioral health providers including local CSB staff to provide information to the individual in accessing covered benefits, provider selection, and how to access all services including behavioral health.

2. The BHSA shall provide crisis phone lines 24 hours per day and seven days per week including access to a licensed care manager during a crisis.

3. The BHSA or its designee shall provide peer support services seven days per week. A telephonic support shall be covered staffed by PSNs who have been trained specifically in line telephonic support operations and resources. The telephonic support associated with the PSN GAP program shall offer extended hours, toll-free access, and dedicated data collection capabilities. The BHSA shall provide trained peer navigators as members of its care coordination team or may contract with other entities to do so. The BHSA shall employ community-based peer navigators to work in provider settings, community settings, and peer-run organizations. The scope of peer support services shall include, but not be limited to:

a. Visiting members in inpatient settings to develop the peer relationship.

b. Describing and developing a plan for engaging in peer and natural community support resources as part of the recovery process.

c. Initiating rapport, teaching, and modeling positive communication skills with members to help them self-advocate for an individualized services plan and assisting the individual with the coordination of services to promote successful community integration strategies.

d. Assisting in developing strategies to decrease or avoid the need for future hospitalizations by offering social and emotional support and an array of individualized services.

e. Providing social, emotional, and other supports framed around the eight dimensions of wellness as defined in 12VAC30-135-410.

1. All community mental/behavioral health services shall be subject to service authorization or registration as specified.

2. GAP case management as defined in 12VAC30-135-410 shall be provided by CSB case managers with consultation and support from BHSA care managers. This service shall be targeted to individuals who are expected to benefit from assistance with medication management and appropriate use of community resources. The CSB GAP case managers shall have the same knowledge, skills, and abilities as set out in 12VAC30-50-420 E 2 e and the case management entity shall maintain all licenses required by DBHDS in 12VAC35-105. GAP case management shall not include the provision of direct treatment services and shall have two levels of service intensity: regular and high intensity, and shall be focused on assisting individuals to access needed medical, behavioral health (psychiatric and substance abuse treatment), social, education, vocational, and other support services.

3. Crisis intervention shall be covered consistent with the limits and requirements set out in 12VAC30-50-226 B 5 and 12VAC30-60-143. This service shall only be rendered by an LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, LMHP-RP, or a certified prescreener. Crisis intervention services shall be indicated following a marked reduction in the individual's psychiatric, adaptive, or behavioral functioning or an extreme increase in personal distress.

a. The crisis intervention services provider shall be licensed as a provider of emergency services by DBHDS pursuant to 12VAC35-105-30.

b. An individual service plan shall not be required for individuals newly enrolled in GAP services to receive this service. Inclusion of crisis intervention as a service on the ISP shall not be required for the service to be provided on an emergency basis.

c. For individuals receiving scheduled, short-term counseling as part of the crisis intervention service, an ISP shall be developed or revised by the fourth face-to-face contact to document the short-term counseling goals.

e. Reimbursement shall be provided for short-term crisis counseling contacts occurring within a 30-day period from the time of the first face-to-face crisis contact. Other than the annual service limits, there are no restrictions (regarding number of contacts or a given time period to be covered) for reimbursement for unscheduled crisis contacts.

f. Crisis intervention services provided to eligible individuals outside of the clinic may be reimbursable, provided the provision of out-of-clinic services is clinically/programmatically appropriate. Travel-related costs (gas and mileage, travel time) by staff to provide out-of-clinic services shall not be reimbursable. Crisis intervention may involve contacts with the family or significant others. If other clinic services are billed at the same time as crisis intervention, documentation must clearly support the separation of the services with distinct treatment goals.

h. Crisis intervention shall be provided by either an LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, LMHP-RP, or a certified prescreener.

i. Services shall be documented through daily notes and a daily log of time spent in the delivery of services.

4. Crisis stabilization shall be covered consistent with the limits and requirements set out in 12VAC30-50-226 B and 12VAC30-60-143 except that service authorization shall be required in place of registration. This service shall only be rendered by an LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, LMHP-RP, QMHP-A, QMHP-E, or a certified prescreener.

a. In order to qualify for crisis stabilization services, individuals shall demonstrate a clinical necessity for the service arising from a condition due to an acute crisis of a psychiatric nature, which puts the individual at risk of psychiatric hospitalization.

b. This service shall be authorized following a face-to-face service-specific provider intake by an LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, LMHP-RP, or a certified prescreener.

c. The service-specific provider intake must document the need for crisis stabilization services.

d. Room and board, custodial care, and general supervision are not components of this service and shall not be reimbursed.

e. Clinic option services are not billable at the same time crisis stabilization services are provided with the exception of clinic visits for medication management. Medication management visits may be billed at the same time that crisis stabilization services are provided but documentation must clearly support the separation of the services with distinct treatment goals.

5. Psychosocial rehabilitation service-specific provider intake and services shall be covered consistent with the limits and requirements set out in 12VAC30-50-226 B 4. This service shall only be rendered by an LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, LMHP-RP, QMHP-A, QMHP-E, or a QPPMH. Psychosocial rehabilitation services shall be provided to individuals who have experienced long-term or repeated psychiatric hospitalization, who experience difficulty inactivities of daily living and interpersonal skills, whose support system is limited or nonexistent, or who are unable to function in the community without intensive intervention or when long-term services are needed to maintain the individual in the community.

a. Psychosocial rehabilitation services shall be provided following a service-specific provider intake that clearly documents the need for services. This intake shall be completed by an LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, or LMHP-RP. An ISP shall be completed by the LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, LMHP-RP, QMHP-A, or QMHP-E and be reviewed/approved by an LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, or LMHP-RP within 30 calendar days of service initiation. At least every three months, the LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, LMHP-RP, QMHP-A, or QMHP-E shall review, modify as appropriate, and update the ISP.

b. The continued need for psychosocial rehabilitation services that continue more than six months shall be reviewed by an LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, or LMHP-RP who shall document the continued need for the service.

c. The enrolled provider of psychosocial rehabilitation services shall be licensed by DBHDS as a provider of psychosocial rehabilitation.

d. Psychosocial rehabilitation services may be provided by an LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, LMHP-RP, QMHP-A, QMHP-E, or a qualified paraprofessional under the supervision of a QMHP-A, QMHP-E, LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, or LMHP-RP.

e. The psychosocial rehabilitation program shall operate a minimum of two continuous hours in a 24-hour period.

f. Time allocated for field trips may be used to calculate time and units when the goal of the field trip is to provide training in an integrated setting and to increase the individual's understanding or ability to access community resources.

2. The first 26 visits shall be covered without prior authorization, and additional visits beyond the first 26 shall be covered if they have been prior authorized when medically necessity is demonstrated.

3. Reimbursement shall be provided, consistent with 12VAC30-80-30 A 3, in a tiered manner.

1. Services shall include intensive outpatient services and opioid treatment services. These services shall be rendered to individuals consistent with the criteria for these two services specified in 12VAC30-50-228 A 2.

a. Intensive outpatient services for individuals shall be provided in a nonresidential setting and may be scheduled multiple times per week, with a maximum of 19 hours of service per week. This service should be provided to individuals who do not require the intensive level of care of inpatient or residential services, but require more intensive services than outpatient services. Intensive outpatient services shall be provided in a concentrated manner and generally involve multiple outpatient visits per week over a period of time for individuals requiring stabilization. These services include monitoring, multiple group therapy sessions during the week, and individual and family therapy focused on the enrolled individual. The maximum annual limit is 600 hours. Intensive outpatient services shall not be provided concurrently with day treatment services or opioid treatment services. Even though day treatment services are not covered in the GAP demonstration SMI program, intensive outpatient services shall not be provided concurrently with it.

b. Pursuant to 12VAC30-50-140 (with the exception of § 6403 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, which is excluded), methadone/opioid treatment means an intervention strategy that combines psychological and psychoeducational services with the administering or dispensing of opioid agonist treatment medication. An individual specific, physician-ordered dose of medication is administered or dispensed either for detoxification or maintenance treatment. Methadone/opioid treatment shall be provided in daily sessions with a maximum of 600 hours per year. Intensive outpatient services shall not be provided concurrently with methadone/opioid treatment. Methadone/opioid treatment service covers psychological and psychoeducational services. Medication costs for methadone/opioid agonists shall be billed separately from psychological and psychoeducational services.

(1) The minimum qualification for providing individual and group counseling, family therapy, and occupational and recreational therapy shall be a QSAP.

(2) A QSAP or a paraprofessional under the supervision of a QSAP may provide education about the effects of alcohol and other drugs on the physical, emotional, and social functioning of the individual; information about relapse prevention; and information about occupational and recreational activities. A QSAP shall be on site when a paraprofessional is providing services.

(3) Paraprofessionals shall participate in supervision as described in 12VAC30-50-228 A 2 d.

2. Evaluations required. Prior to initiation of intensive outpatient or opioid treatment services, an evaluation shall be conducted consistent with 12VAC30-50-228 B by at least a QSAP. The minimum intake will consist of a structured objective assessment of the impact of substance use or dependence on the individual's functioning in the following areas: legal system involvement; employment or school performance, or both; and medical, family-social, and psychiatric issues. A psychological and psychiatric examination shall be included as part of this evaluation, if indicated by history or structured assessment.